INTRODUCTION
The Big Apple, a megacity, the city never that sleeps – New York is the epitome of diversity, with countless languages and cultures crowding along its streets. Such is its influence, it has been called the financial, cultural and media capital of the world.
Made up of five boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island – there are endless possibilities stretching across all corners of the city, from world-famous monuments to museums, shopping, and all manner of restaurants serving world cuisine.
There is undoubtedly something for everyone.
PORT VIEW
There are three main locations where cruise ships dock when in New York.
The passenger terminal on the west side of Manhattan is close to midtown, making it ideal for those who want to sample the inner portion of the city. The terminal underwent a series of upgrades in 2004 in order to serve the world’s biggest ships.
Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which opened in 2006, is in the Red Hook area, close to a number of restaurants and shops. It has 200,000 square feet of terminal space, as well as dedicated embarkation and debarkation areas.
Furthermore, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises dock at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, Bayonne, which is approximately seven miles from New York City.
NEED TO KNOW
There are plenty of cash machines throughout New York.
Transport wise, the roads can become exceptionally busy, meaning taking a taxi might not be the best decision for anyone in a hurry.
The subway system, which is subject to a $37 billion modernisation plan to improve reliability, stations and the signalling system, is extensive, although does suffer from some reliability problems.
The best advice is to factor in plenty of time for travelling.
Keen shoppers will love the options afforded to them in what is one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Passengers can avoid the long queues to go up the Empire State Building by buying an optional skip the line ticket.
WHAT WE LOVE
Central Park: Among the iconic, high-rise New York skyline is Central Park. A walk in this park is unlike many others, with numerous monuments and attractions, such as Central Park zoo, along the way. The park also hosts events throughout the year, including performances, a film festival and walking tours.
Tenement Museum: This museum tells the stories of immigrants who moved to New York and the lives they created in the States, by recreating traditional tenement rooms that were common among working class immigrants. It’s important to note that the only way to see the museum is on a guided tour, which starts at 103 Orchard Street, in Lower Manhattan.
Empire State Building: The observation decks provide some of the best views of the city, while there is also a Dare to Dream exhibit, which tells the story of the planning and construction of the building through original documents, photos and construction notes.
Mmuseumm: No, it’s not a misspelling. The Mmuseumm, on 4 Cortlandt Alley in Lower Manhattan, describes itself as a museum dedicated to the modern world, or, more specifically, “object journalism”. Its exhibitions include items that explore humanity through objects sourced worldwide. The definition of quirky.
High Line: This public space traces its history back to 1934, when it opened as a railway, transporting goods to and from Manhattan. The line moved its last train in the 1980s, and by 1999 the Friends of the High Line group had been formed to renew the area as a public space. Today, it offers plenty of greenery and great views of Manhattan, as well as tours, cultural events, stargazing and workshops for children.
SELLING TIPS